Minister Burke launches national consultation on accessible and inclusive tourism
Experiences sought to help shape the future of accessible and inclusive tourism in Ireland.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD today [4 September 2026] launched Fáilte Ireland's national consultation on Accessible and Inclusive Tourism. People across Ireland are being invited to share their experiences of accessible and inclusive tourism, helping Fáilte Ireland better understand barriers, opportunities, and priorities for the future development of tourism.
Accessible and inclusive tourism ensures all people can travel, participate, and enjoy visitor experiences with dignity, independence, and equal opportunity. Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Your Voice, Your Journey Visitor Consultation’ aims to understand visitors’ experiences and expectations of accessible and inclusive tourism when travelling in Ireland. It will gather insights into areas including trip planning, transport, accommodation, attractions and visitor experiences.
Launching the consultation, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said:
The Government's Tourism Policy Framework, A New Era for Irish Tourism, sets out a vision for a tourism sector that delivers positive outcomes for visitors, communities and businesses across Ireland. Understanding people’s lived experiences is the first step to ensuring tourism development creates a welcome, accessible and inclusive experience in a way that has real impact.
Minister of State with Responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins said:
For people with disabilities, travelling and enjoying visitor experiences can involve barriers that others may never have to think about. That’s why it is so important that we listen to people’s experiences and learn directly from them about what is working well and where improvements are needed. This consultation is an opportunity for people to tell us what is working well, where challenges remain and what changes would make the biggest difference. I encourage people with disabilities, their families and carers to take part and share their views so that future tourism development is informed by lived experience and delivers a more accessible and inclusive experience for all.
The consultation will consist of a national accessible survey and follow-up focus groups to explore key themes in more detail.
Caroline Bocquel, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said:
Fáilte Ireland is committed to ensuring that its work is informed by the experiences and perspectives of those they affect, so that Ireland’s tourism offering can be enjoyed by as many people as possible. Through this consultation, we want to hear what's working well, where challenges remain and what changes would make the biggest difference. I encourage as many people as possible to share their experiences and ideas.
The consultation has been co-designed with national advocacy organisations representing disability, sensory impairment, age-friendly and inclusion interests.
Welcoming the consultation, Nicola Meacle Independent Living Movement Ireland and member of Fáilte Ireland's Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Consultation Advisory Panel, said:
This consultation's co-design process demonstrates the value of involving people with first-hand experience in decisions that affect them. By involving advocacy organisations and stakeholders from the beginning, Fáilte Ireland has created a process that is grounded in real experiences and reflects a diverse range of perspectives. We encourage people to take part and share their views. The insights gathered will provide an important evidence base that will influence the future development of more accessible and inclusive tourism experiences across Ireland.
The consultation will be open until 29th of October, and people are encouraged to take part and share their experiences. Survey materials are available in a range of accessible formats. Further information and survey details are available here.
Media enquiries
Members of the media seeking further information or interview requests should contact the Fáilte Ireland Press Office.
Share your experience
Take part in the national consultation on accessible and inclusive tourism and help inform future tourism development in Ireland.